EA’s ORIGIN STUDIOS TO HOST ONLINE WORLDS FANFEST 2002

Fans Offered Access to Latest Internet-Based Massively Multiplayer Gaming Developments Including Ultima Online, Earth and Beyond Online and The Sims Online

Opportunity for Fans to Interact with Industry’s Top Creative Talent

WHAT:                        Online Worlds FanFest is a two-day fan event where computer game players can see what the future of Ultima Online™ holds, socialize with fellow Ultima Online fans and meet and interact with some of the industry’s top game producers.  Ultima Online Senior Producers Rick Hall and Bryan Walker will deliver the keynote address on Friday, January 11. 

Other speakers include EA Maxis Co-Founder and Chief Designer of The Sims™ Will Wright and EA Maxis Vice President and Executive Producer of The Sims Online™, Gordon Walton, who will talk about the future of Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs).  Additionally, EA Westwood Chief Creative Officer and Executive Producer Brett Sperry will offer fans a sneak peak at upcoming persistent state world, Earth and Beyond™ Online. 

Adding to the stellar Online Worlds FanFest speaker lineup will be Grammy and Emmy-winning Producer and Director Todd McFarlane, creator of Spawn, McFarlane Toys and Spawn.com, who will hold a session called “Inside the Mind of Todd McFarlane.”  McFarlane is collaborating with EA Origin to create characters exclusively for Ultima Online: Lord Blackthorn’s Revenge. EA Origin is also partnering with McFarlane and McFarlane Toys to develop both a line of action figures based on the new creatures and two comic books based on Ultima Online: Lord Blackthorn’s Revenge.

In addition to sessions with the industry’s top creative talent, fans will get an inside look at current and up-and-coming immersive online experiences, including: Ultima Online: Lord Blackthorn’s Revenge, Earth and Beyond Online, The Sims Online, and Motor City Online. During the show, attendees can also participate in a silent auction offering exclusive Ultima Online collectibles. Proceeds from the auction will be donated to Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy, an Ultima Online-designated charity.

HOST:                          Electronic Arts’ Origin Studios

WHEN:                         Friday, January 11 – Saturday, January 12, 2002

WHERE:                       Renaissance Austin Hotel, 9721 Arboretum Blvd., Austin, Texas    

REGISTRATION:          Information regarding registration, location and event schedule can be found at www.onlineworldsfanfest.com

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